EA continues with mission to uplift women street vendors

Dimapur, Feb. 2 (EMN): Entrepreneurs Associates (EA), along with the office of the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Pughoboto in Zunheboto district and supported by Capri Global Capital Limited, organised a programme to uplift women street vendors in Pughoboto town.

The programme was part of the series of trainings and workshops to address the needs of local women street vendors, who form a vital part of the chain of supplying fruits and vegetables to urban households, an update from EA stated on Wednesday. According to a rough survey conducted by EA, it was estimated that about 30,000 women are engaged in street vending local products across the state.

To drive home the need for organising their businesses and finances better as well as to improve their living standards, the training was focused on creating awareness about the importance of their livelihoods and on financial literacy.

Highlighting the history of EA which began in 2000 in one small room in Kohima, its advisor, Neikule Doulo, informed that as of 2022, EA now works in Nagaland and Manipur with branch offices across the states. Stating that the programme to uplifting women street vendors started in order to help women scale their businesses and improve their lives which would directly impact their families and communities, she encouraged the women to give importance to the work they undertake.

Neikule also shared some of the current initiatives of the organisation, especially mentioning the interest-free loans for street vendors, which EA is providing with some of its partners.

Emphasising on the importance of savings and proper budgeting, Senti Walling, branch manager of Nagaland Rural Bank, Pughoboto, shared some tips to help the women manage their finances better. He also pointed out some schemes which could be beneficial for the women and advised them to maintain financial discipline to be eligible for such facilities.

Exhorting the women to conduct their businesses with pride and self-worth, Thungchanbemo Tungoe, ADC of Pughoboto, has stressed on the role played by vendors in local economies. He urged them to avail support to improve their living standards and help their families.

Reiterating the importance of a mother’s role in families and their significant impact in the lives of those around them, the ADC shared that there is dignity in every kind of job.

It mentioned that EA has so far trained over 4000 women street vendors, micro-entrepreneurs and women farmers across Nagaland and Manipur since the launch of the program in October 2017. It informed that the next programme for the women would be conducted in Mon on February 9 followed with another programme in Jalukie town on February 16.

The programme was chaired by Keren Swu, EA incubation lead, while a prayer was said by Kipitoli Shohe, children pastor of Pughoboto Baptist Church.

The training was attended by women street vendors, farmers and entrepreneurs from the town and other neighbouring villages.